In early 20th century Georgia, teenager Celie (Fantasia Barrino) has been raped by her abusive father ever since her mother’s death. After giving away the two resulting children, he marries her off to “Mister” Johnson (Colman Domingo), whose charming façade hides a dark side of his own. Fortunately, this time, Celie is not alone: she finds kinship in her husband’s mistress, blues singer Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson), and his son’s indomitable new wife, Sofia (Danielle Brooks). As the years go by, Celie draws strength from the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood, continuing to survive against all odds.

Based on the Tony-award-winning Broadway musical, which in itself is adapted from Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film and Alice Walker’s Pulitzer-prize-winning novel, this latest version of this seminal African-American tale manages to remain bold, exuberant and moving, despite the bleak subject matter.

Nominated for Best Supporting Actress (Brooks) at the 2024 Oscars.